If you’re looking for a small dog breed that to add to your family, you may want to consider the Toy Poodle. This intelligent dog breed has become a favorite among families worldwide due to their affectionate personality and adaptability. No wonder this dog breed was a favorite of eighteenth century royalty. Before adding a new dog to your household, there are a variety of issues you should consider. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of owning a tiny Toy Poodle.

Toy Poodles are intelligent.

The Poodle dog breed is always listed in the top five on lists of most intelligent dogs. These dogs have a long history throughout the ages of performing in street shows and circuses due to the ability to learn complex tricks quickly and easily. Toy poodle training is usually quite easy and rewarding for the trainer. Combine this with their eagerness to learn and adapt and you have a winning combination. It’s not surprising that poodles perform very well in obedience trials.

Their size makes them easy to take along.

The tiny Toy Poodle breed is small enough to be easily transportable. They’re a natural to take on family trips and can even travel in the passenger cabin on most planes. It’s easy to buy a pet carrier and take them along with you to the shopping mall or to a local restaurant with outdoor seating.

Toy Poodles have long life spans and few health problems

One of the sad facts of life is that dogs don’t live long enough. Fortunately, the Toy Poodle breed has a relatively long life span of around fifteen years. They also tend to be relatively healthy with less of tendency of developing serious health problems than most other breeds of dog.

They get along with children and other animals

If you have children and other pets, chances are your Toy Poodle will coexist peacefully with them. Due to their size, children need to be taught how to properly hand and respect the tiny Toy Poodle in order to prevent injury.

Disadvantages of owning a Toy Poodle

They don’t make great guard dogs

Although the Toy Poodle will bark when he senses danger, the reality is that most burglars aren’t going to feel threatened by a tiny Toy Poodle. If you’re looking for a dog to effectively guard your home and property, it might be best to pick a larger dog breed.

They require your time.

The Toy Poodle breed requires your attention and affection. If left alone without human contact, they can become depressed. If you have to spend too much time away from your dog, the Toy Poodle may not be for you.

The Toy Poodle needs regular grooming.

The Toy Poodle breed requires regular bathing and brushing to keep his fur in good condition. His coat should be clipped every six weeks which will require a trip to a grooming studio if you don’t plan on doing it yourself.

They tend to bark excessively.

Some Toy Poodles can become nuisance barkers which can be a problem if you live in an apartment. This problem can usually be corrected with training. With proper Toy Poodle training, this small dog breed can be a delightful addition to your household. Because Toy Poodles can be expensive when purchased from a breeder, consider contacting Toy Poodle rescue groups to see if they have an appropriate dog for you and your family.

I love my Toy Boy–he is so good with my kids and we adore him. He does indeed bark a lot and would not work if we lived in an apartment. He is a little delicate–I have to train my kids to be gentle with him! They do require a lot of attention. They are high maintenence but so worth it. Do not get one if you cannot give a lot of attenention. They really, really do get depressed if you ignore them!